Having progressed to varsity grade after his birthday in March this year, Te Wake is happy with his online world ranking established during the nationals (under the auspices of CrossFit Hawke's Bay) at Havelock North a fortnight ago.
"CrossFit allows me to push myself. I get really fit and strong and I really feel good as well about myself.
"It's always different and it's always changing so you can go out hard."
However, roosting on the top rung is a key motivating factor for the Hastings Boys' High School pupil.
"You always have weaknesses to improve."
Ranked 52 nationally in the Open grade but third in the teen gauntlet in New Zealand and Australia, Te Wake is capable of doing 152 "double unders" in 90 seconds and his benchmark workout (FRAN) is 3min 59sec.
FRAN comprises diminishing reps of 21, 15 and 9 clean full squat and press (thruster), then pull-up routines.
The year 13 pupil last year, soon after joining, got an invite to compete in Hamilton and didn't hesitate.
"I finished second so I got right into it."
He is under no illusions of the enormity of pursuing a world title.
"I have to do a lot of training and listen to my coach."
Te Wake is indebted to Heke who has taught him the art of selecting disciplines that suit his strengths.
Those disciplines include hand-stand walking, Olympic lifting, muscle ups and different gymnastics-based routines.
Akin to a golfing handicap, the best athlete in any discipline scores one point so at the end of six routines, the best five of the lowest total is declared a winner.
"I try to save my energy for the best reps," says the teenager who featured on Maori TV recently.
His parents, Putiputi Te Wake Munro and Mark Hope, have supported him like the rest of the whanau.
After his CrossFit sessions, Te Wake feels rejuvenated.
"I feel fresh and alert," says the "stable student" who hopes to pursue a degree in sport and business at either Otago University or Victoria University in Wellington.
"I also want to do a CrossFit internship which will allow me to take classes and be an instructor," he says, hopeful tertiary qualifications will have provisions to incorporate it into his course.
Heke says Te Wake is a determined individual so he should be among the world top 10 with nine months to achieve that goal.
"Moving four places up is a big ask but he trains four to five times a week with three days of CrossFit movements and two days of Olympic lifting," he says, describing him as an allround pupil and respectful who does his whanau proud.
Heke says his box will officially open on May 31 and the first official classes will begin on June 2 for about 30 to 50 children teenagers and adults.
Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
